In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed in Congress through President Joe Biden’s push for climate legislation. Hailed as a victory for some environmentalists, the Act has garnered criticism from many. Originally proposed in the form of the Build Back Better Plan, the measure did not pass and was rewritten as the IRA. The...
The United Kingdom confronts a formidable challenge in swiftly decarbonizing its economy while simultaneously addressing essential needs such as housing, transportation, food, and energy access to enhance citizens’ well-being. The pursuit of multiple development priorities has impeded the implementation of climate policies necessary to align with the Paris Agreement goals, aiming to reduce emissions by...
The economy in Turkey has been on a growth trend for many years despite the surging inflation since 2022. The growth has been supported by mainly increased population and construction. The continuing increase in the population pushes the demand for energy up with many other needs. As a country experiencing rapid economic and industrial growth...
Historically, CO2 emissions have been strongly correlated with economic development. The richer we are, the more CO2 we emit. But this relationship no longer necessarily holds at higher incomes. Many countries are starting to achieve economic growth while reducing emissions. They are decoupling the two. It’s only over the last 20 years that this decoupling...
South Africa has been experiencing harsh and extreme climate change impacts. These impacts significantly affect agriculture, human health, and water availability. Climate change has altered seasons in Southern Africa, including South Africa. South Africa is now experiencing heavier rains in most parts of the country. However, the western region is increasingly getting dry. These droughts...
Saudi Arabia announced more than six years ago Vision 2030, which is a set of megaprojects and strategic investments that seek to diversify the economy, increase the state’s non-oil revenue, and reduce oil-dependent economic activity. However, political and socioeconomic obstacles have slowed the country’s pace of energy transition towards more sustainable alternatives. The state continues to...
In Nigeria, pursuing developmental objectives to ensure citizens’ well-being poses significant challenges to practical climate mitigation efforts. Several obstacles impede the implementation of policies essential to reaching the Paris Agreement objectives, which involve cutting emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.One significant challenge arises in energy access and poverty alleviation, particularly...
Mexico was one of the first countries to ratify the Paris Agreement in 2016, demonstrating its commitment to combating climate change. Mexico depends on fossil fuels for its energy matrix, and the country has not significantly updated its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) since 2015. Mexico has good renewable resources; However, the current Mexican government has...
As Japan embarks on its journey to 2050, it faces a critical test in addressing the dual challenges of climate change and a rapidly transforming society. The nation, renowned for its technological expertise, now stands at a pivotal point, compelled to realign its strategies with the realities of an aging population and an increasingly warming...
Conflicts between development and climate mitigation arise in Indonesia, as in many other developing nations, due to the difficulties in balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability. Primarily, Indonesia has relied on fossil fuels, notably coal, to meet rising energy demands and drive economic growth. The energy industry will become a significant carbon emitter if the government...
